A Few Questions For ClexaCon FoundersHolly Winebarger, Ashley Arnold and Danielle Jablonski

Why was ClexaCon conceived? Was it in response to the horrible representation that occurred on The 100 at the time? If it was, why was Clexa the catalyst of the worldwide movement that it was and the response it garnered?

ClexaCon was inspired by and created for fans. 2016 saw an unprecedented number of female LGBTQ characters killed off TV shows. One of the most publicised was the death of the fan-favorite character, Lexa, from the CW’s The 100. The convention was named in honor of the on-screen relationship between Clarke and Lexa (‘Clexa’). For the first time we saw media consumers demand better representation on an organized scale. It was amazing.

The death of so many female LGBTQ characters and the attention that fans were able to bring to the ‘Bury Your Gays’ trope led us to create an event that celebrates the characters we love and allows fans to come together from the around the world to celebrate our favorite stories from TV and film.

Besides the demise of Clexa and other LGBT characters that year, what were the other reasons the founders had that made you all form CC?

It was really hard for us to see so many young people struggle with the way LGBTQ women are featured in television and film. It was shocking to us that these forms of media seemed stuck in the same repetitive trope cycle. We want to help push our communities narrative along, and what better way to do that than to provide them with the opportunity to learn from the best? ClexaCon is more than a fan event. Attendees can attend workshops on how to use YouTube as a platform, how to create a web series, how to write for TV, and much more. We want LGBTQ women creating content, fighting their way into writers rooms and onto set. ClexaCon was built to inspire.

Who are the founders of CC?

ClexaCon is run by Holly Winebarger, Ashley Arnold and Danielle Jablonski along with a dedicated team of volunteers who work year-round to ensure an incredible event.

Referring to the inaugural festival, did any of you envision the overwhelming success that CC was?

ClexaCon 2017 was an incredible experience! It was hard to imagine what it would be like before it happened but the event itself and the number of people who attended from around the world definitely blew our minds.

Based on last year's success and this year's response, what's the dream goal for the future?

We hope to continue to grow. This years event is going to be so much bigger than last years. We have more guests, we have more attendees and we even added a day on either side for community building!

Can you share the initial feedback on your invitations from showrunners, actresses, directors etc to attend CC?

We’re had a ton of positive feedback, Amy Acker recently said in an interview that ClexaCon was an amazing space she wishes she could live in. From our growing lineup, you can see the word got out that ClexaCon is a great event.

Do you think the TV landscape has changed towards gay characters and the relationships told about us since the initial rallying cry 'Lexa Deserved Better' first began?

The landscape is slowly changing. I think creators are definitely becoming more aware of the power of the LGBTQ community.

Can you tell us who are the headlining panelists in this year's CC? And were there any surprises to this year's invites to attend, good or bad?

Finally, if you had carte blanche over invitees/panelists, who would be in your Top 5 list?

We all have our personal wish lists :) We’ve been incredibly lucky to have had so many fantastic guests in our first two years. We hope that each year we’ll be able to add more amazing guests and also keep bringing guests back!

We begin 2017 with a bang, as I open with episode 1 of the sixth season of Interview Sessions. Face-timing with the co-head of First Sight Productions, Lindy Boustedt about their latest feature film, BRIDES TO BE. (trailer)

Brides to Beis wonderfully shot as it utilizes every scene and location to its fullest. A horror that weaves us in from it's intense opening shot to its last. It's a love story first and foremost but it's also an amazing study of self-discovery within the maze of truly connecting oneself to another. A one of a kind in the queer genre, prepare to be entertained and scared! Great performances from the cast and a unique approach to storytelling. Five stars! A must see!

​As the most watched Australian lesbian series ever,'Starting From...Now!'is about to premiere its fourth season. I caught up with creator, writer and director of the landmark and awarding winning series, Julie Kalceff, in the mist of post-production of seasons four and five.

I must to express from the our followers, subscribers and myself, our sincere gratitude to Julie, her cast and crew for the devotion to storylines, casting (We can't thank you enough for that, God Bless YOU!!!), production and her untiring indulgence to please our insatiable appetite for quality lesbian TV.

The following our written interview;

Tamara Spicer: You've lead Starting From...Now! to become the most popular lesbian web series to come out of Australia, what would you attest as the reason for its success, especially as there have been several previously failed attempts?

Julie Kalceff: I know I speak for the rest of the team when I say that we’re very humbled by the success of the show and grateful to our audience for embracing Starting From … Now!I think one of the major reasons for our success is the quality of the acting and the incredible cast and crew we have working on it. I have been extremely lucky to work with this group of actors.Our core cast, the four leads who have been on the show from the beginning (Bianca Bradey, Sarah de Possesse, Rosie Lourde and Lauren Orrell), are not only incredibly talented but are some of the nicest people you’ll ever meet.​The fact that we’ve had the opportunity to work together across five seasons now and for over two years, means we’ve been able to build a strong working relationship and, I’d like to think, become like a family during that time. We’ve also expanded our cast in recent seasons. We’ve been joined by a number of quality actors who, again, are incredibly wonderful people. I think the audience has become invested in the characters and this is, in large part, due to the integrity and depth the actors have brought to their roles.

TS: At the end of Season 3, you immediately began your funding campaign for season 4, then later you announced you were filming both seasons 4 & 5. Clue us in as to how that was possible?

JK: We had planned to shoot Season 4 early in 2015. The crowd funding campaign didn’t raise the funds we needed. However, off the back of the success of Season 3, a number of opportunities were presented to us and we realized we had the chance to really develop the series and produce something beyond what we’d done previously. Rosie Lourde (a producer on the show as well as playing the role of Darcy) and I set about trying to secure screen agency funding in order to produce Seasons 4 and 5 of Starting From … Now! This took some time but it also allowed us to build partnerships with community and commercial organizations such as ACON, IVF Australia and Merivale, and secure a media partner in the Sydney Star Observer. When we were successful in our application for funding from both Screen Australia and Screen NSW, we were able to shoot both seasons back-to-back.

TS: I know the show couldn't continue without all four of our beloved ladies attached, but can you reveal any new cast members or guests that will appear in season 4 and perhaps 5?

JK: Most certainly. As stated, we have expanded our cast in recent seasons. In Season 4 Kylie Watson (Jackie), Clementine Mills (Bec) and Francesca Savige (Grace) will be reprising their roles. They’ll also be joined by some new cast members: Julia Billington, Harvey Kaska Zielinski, Lauren Dillon, and a cameo by Gretel Killeen. Darcy’s mother, played by the wonderful Heather Mitchell, will be re-joining us in Season 5.

TS: Season 3 ended with all our girls lives' in turmoil, is it possible to give your fans some reassurances that things won't be THAT chaotic during season 4 & 5?

JK: I can’t guarantee that things won’t be THAT chaotic but I can assure you that each of them will find their own path in one way or another. There are some tough times for each of the characters but there’s also hope and the feeling that they each emerge stronger as a result of what they’ve been through.

TS: Let's talk formula; - Over the course of your three seasons, each season has had 6 episodes and have averaged about 8 minutes long. Will the upcoming season follow in the same way or can we hope for more???

JK: Each season will have 6 episodes but the episodes will be slightly longer, averaging out at around 10 minutes each. This is a direct result of having access to funding for these two seasons and also a response to audience feedback requesting longer episodes.

TS: As we rejoice that we still have season 4 & 5 to look forward too, do you have a release date on season 4 and will both or either seasons be available for download as was offered in season 3?

JK: We’re close to announcing a release date for Season 4. Our plan is to release the first episode of Season 4 and then have the whole season available for download. Once this set period of time has expired, we’ll then release each episode weekly as we’ve done in the past. We’ll do that with both seasons. It’s important to us that lesbian content is freely available on the web but we also realize that a number of fans want the opportunity to download the whole season. We feel this way we’re able to do both.

TS: Can we dare to ask if you would be willing to share any season 4 sneak peaks or storylines reveals?

JK: Without giving too much away, I’d like to think that there’s something that will appeal to most viewers. We’re dealing with some darker and more complex subject matter but, at the same time, have some lighter moments and a wider range of characters.

TS: Do you see the series going beyond season 5?

JK: At this stage, we’re looking to end Starting From … Now!as a web series with Season 5. Having said that, it may not mean the end of these characters or this story world.

TS: When SFN...*sniff* finally closes the curtain and bids us adieu, do you have any plans for another series, film or ...just about anything from you?

JK: Most definitely. Rosie and I are developing a number of projects, both longer form series and feature films, that we think will appeal to the same audience who has been so supportive of SFN. We have learnt so much from making this series that we’re keen to build on this and create something even better for out next project.

TS: Do you have anything to add?

JK: I’d like to thank you, Tee, and the PNT Tv audience for their support of Starting From … Now! You have been an advocate of the show from the very beginning. This has meant a great deal to us and is very much appreciated. There have been some tough times over the past two and a half years but it’s the support from the audience and from people like yourself, that has given us the strength to continue.

SFN will hold its season 4 premiere in Sydney as part of the Queer Screen - Mardi Gras Film Festival on March 1. We'll be screening the whole of Season 4, followed by a Q and A and a 20 million view after-party! Grab your tickets now before it's sold out! Rosie Lourde, Bianca Bradey, Lauren Orrell, Sarah de Possesse.

In recent times there is a steady stream of LGBTQ independent films being released and even Hollywood is finally producing movies centered around queer relationships, yet its still largely hit or miss to find relatable, quality storylines with believable characters, solid acting performances and Hollywood-worthy productions.

Yet in the last five to six years, that's exactly what has happened. True, we can debate that this is all owed to the advent of DSLR cameras, advancements in filming technics and the inter-connectability of the internet that have allowed micro-budgeted films to shine. Whatever the reason, we the audience have reapped the benefits.

What does all this have to do with the film we have on spotlight this week, Liberty's Secret: The 100% All-American Musical? Well, knowing the difficulty in making a successful independent film in the LGBTQ genre, imagine making a LGBTQ film that was a musical. To be specific, a lesbian musical. Actually to be more direct, a lesbian, political, comedy, drama, musical with religious overtones!

​Impossible you say! Well this week we talk to the man who has made it his 7-year mission to bring his film to life, Andy Kirshner. Already an accomplished composer, performer, writer, playwright and media artist and the Assistant Professor of Art, Design & Music at the University of Michigan, he can now add filmmaker to his resume.

*Editor's Note* "I would like to thank Andy for his patience in the face of numerous delays and technical mishaps in producing this interview."

Storyline:​Liberty Smith is the perfect running mate. She's American as apple pie, sings like an angel, and is the daughter of a prominent "family values" preacher - exactly what a floundering presidential campaign needs to energize its conservative base and rally the faithful. But when political novice Liberty falls for her (female) spin doctor, it's a cable news catastrophe. Now Liberty must choose between the life she's known, and the love she's dreamed of. And all of America is watching.

A few weeks ago I had the pleasure of not only interviewing the filmmaker, Micheal Worth and his co-lead, English import Kacey Barnfield (I Spit in Your Grave 2), but also of viewing a media copy of the pre-screener to review.

Worth not only directs 'Seeking Dolly Parton' (SDP) but he also wrote, produced and starred in the the romantic, comedy, drama. Rounding out the trio of his leading cast is Russian-born American, Anya Monzikova (Days of Our Lives/Deal or No Deal).

The film centers on a lesbian couple wanting to have a baby and the ex-boyfriend who steps up to help to unexpected results for all.

Kacey Barnfield (l;Charlie) & Anya Monzikova (r;Cerina)

Its easy to see on reading the film's synopsis, that it gives the impression that its a typical hetero-male director's attempt to highlight their version of a lesbian couple seeking to get pregnant, by inserting the angle of using an ex-boyfriend as the donor.

It's at this point my eye-rolling began because usually films of this nature follow one and only one formula. The one getting pregnant usually rekindles her romantic feeling towards the ex and subsequently leaves their female partner for said male counterpart. The film of course will be supplemented with the appropriate amounts of lesbian-sex to satisfy its male audience.

However, this preconceived impression would be wrong. It should take you no more than 10 minutes of film before you would change your mind, just as I did.

Michael Worth (Josh)

The official synopsis of the film, does it no justice because essentially, (SDP) is a character driven piece about three adults thrown together by want, need and unfinished business.

Strong performances by all three leads is only complimented by Worth's thoughtful script, which allows each character to face their demons while forming unlikely friendships and settling unrealistic expectations.

The heart of the film remains Charlie (Barnfield) and Cerina's (Monzikova) desire to become parents but its sub-plot of each character's exploration of their past, present and future slowly gathers you into its folds. The beauty of SDP is in its subtle change in direction from a lighthearted romantic comedy with a few quirky outlining characters to a serious spiritually uplifting drama that attempts to show that sometimes if you open your heart unexpected possibilities may occur.

With the market now awash with so many films tackling our genre, selections can be made on quality and not quantity. I suggest you get Seeking Dolly Parton for its quality.

Seeking Dolly Parton will be available for viewing online as of Sept 25th.Fans can watch the film for $3.99 for a 72 hour period at the following link: Vimeo.com/ondemand/seekingdollyparton.